Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

A California official helped save a mental health company’s contract. It flew him to London.

The director of California's mental health commission traveled to London this summer courtesy of a state vendor while he was helping to prevent a $360 million budget cut that would have defunded the company's contract.

23 Oct 2024

Maternal stress and depression alter infant DNA, with potential lifelong impact

Maternal stress and depression during pregnancy and postpartum are linked to DNA methylation changes in infants, potentially affecting their development and long-term health.

23 Oct 2024

Ukrainian researcher develops digital tool for detecting autism and developmental delay in kids

A Ukrainian researcher has developed a new digital tool for detecting autism and developmental delay in children. Her research has been published in Cambridge University Press journal Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health.

22 Oct 2024

Study links schizophrenia to increased risk of sudden cardiac death

The lifetime risk of an unexpected and sudden death from a cardiovascular cause in the absence of pre-existing heart disease-;known as sudden cardiac death-;is more than 4 times higher for people with schizophrenia than it is for the general population, indicates Danish research published online in the journal Heart.

22 Oct 2024

Abundant greenery in cities may lower heat-related deaths and improve wellbeing

Abundant green space in urban areas is linked to lower rates of heat related illness and death as well as better mental health and wellbeing, finds a systematic review of the available research, published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

22 Oct 2024

Study reveals hidden risks of immersive digital environments for young users

The metaverse, a space where the lines between physical and digital realities blur, is rising among younger populations. As of March, 33% of teens own a virtual reality (VR) device and 13% use it weekly.

22 Oct 2024

Ignite funding program supports innovative solutions for Canada's aging population

Today, the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest launched Ignite, its new funding program to support Canadian innovators designing solutions for older persons.

22 Oct 2024

Understanding the impact of psychological distress on life expectancy in Japan

The Japanese population is known for its longest life expectancy (LE) at birth. Extensive studies have been conducted on the physical health of the Japanese population, mainly on mortality outcomes.

22 Oct 2024

Diabetes drugs may reduce risk of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication

Researchers examine the association between prescriptions of diabetes drugs and the incidence of alcohol intoxication and opioid overdose.

22 Oct 2024

Major study links loneliness to increased risk of dementia

New research led by Florida State University College of Medicine faculty quantified the association between loneliness and dementia by analyzing data from more than 600,000 people around the world -; the largest study of its kind.

21 Oct 2024

Expanded treatment options linked to 37% reduction in drug overdose deaths

Expanded treatment options, increased naloxone distribution and targeted education campaigns likely led to a 37% reduction in overdose deaths from opioids combined with stimulant drugs other than cocaine, according to the results of a large federally funded study.

21 Oct 2024

Mental health problems lead to greater productivity loss than other chronic conditions

Depression and other mental health issues reduce the number of productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs) more than musculoskeletal diseases or cardiovascular diseases, according to a recent joint study by the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela), and Monash University in Australia.

21 Oct 2024

Aerobic exercise boosts cognitive function in breast cancer patients

Many women who receive chemotherapy experience a decreased ability to remember, concentrate, and/or think-;commonly referred to as "chemo-brain" or "brain fog"-;both short- and long-term.

21 Oct 2024

Scientists discover gut microbiome differences in children with autism

Researchers found differences in gut bacteria between children with autism and typically developing children but caution that more research is needed to clarify these associations and their therapeutic potential.

20 Oct 2024

New tool helps identify anxiety and depression in pediatric surgery patients

A new, computerized, mental health assessment tool may allow doctors to quickly identify children experiencing anxiety or depression before surgery, suggests new research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2024 annual meeting.

20 Oct 2024

Studies reveal unique challenges faced by younger patients with colorectal cancer

Younger adults with colon cancer tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and have more aggressive types of tumors.

18 Oct 2024

Revolutionizing precision nutrition with gut microbiome insights

Researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, along with international collaborators, have introduced a novel method for identifying the crucial set of gut microbes commonly found in humans and essential for health.

18 Oct 2024

Scientists map the genetic landscape of drug resistance in cancers

All cancer mutations that cause drug resistance fall into one of four categories. New research has detailed each type, helping to uncover targets for drug development and identify potential effective second-line therapies.

18 Oct 2024

California continues progressive policies, with restraint, in divisive election year

This year, Gov. Gavin Newsom affirmed abortion access, calling California "a proud reproductive freedom state" and criticizing Republicans across the country for trying to take away families' rights.

18 Oct 2024

Mountain town confronts an unexpected public health catastrophe

Before Hurricane Helene, had you stopped by one of the many breweries, art galleries, or award-winning restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina, and spoken with anyone who lives in these parts — including me — most would have told you they felt pretty safe from climate disasters.

18 Oct 2024